- •Preface
- •Contents
- •Contributors
- •1 Introduction: Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •History of Excavations at Azokh Caves
- •Excavations 1960–1988
- •Excavations 2002–2009
- •Field Seasons
- •2002 (23rd August–19th September)
- •2003 (4th–31st August)
- •2004 (28th July–6th August)
- •2005 (26th July–12th August)
- •2006 (30th July–23rd August)
- •2007 (9th July–4th August)
- •2008 (8th July–14th August)
- •2009 (17th July–12th August)
- •Correlating Huseinov’s Layers to Our Units
- •Chapters of This Book
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Azokh 1
- •Sediment Sequence 1
- •Sediment Sequence 2
- •Discussion on the Stratigraphy of Azokh 1
- •Azokh 2
- •Azokh 5
- •Discussion on the Stratigraphy of Azokh 5
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •3 Geology and Geomorphology of Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Geological Background
- •Geomorphology of Azokh Cave
- •Results of the Topographic Survey
- •Azokh 1: Main Entrance Passageway
- •Azokh 2, 3 and 4: Blind Passages
- •Azokh 5: A Recently Discovered Connection to the Inner Chambers
- •Azokh 6: Vacas Passageway
- •Azokh I: The Stalagmite Gallery
- •Azokh II: The Sugar-Mound Gallery
- •Azokh III: The Apron Gallery
- •Azokh IV: The Hall Gallery
- •Results of the Geophysical Survey
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •4 Lithic Assemblages Recovered from Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Methods of Analysis
- •Results
- •Unit Vm: Lithic Assemblage
- •Unit III: Lithic Assemblage
- •Unit II: Lithic Assemblage
- •Post-Depositional Evidence
- •Discussion of the Lithic Assemblages
- •Comparison of Assemblages from the Earlier and Current Excavations
- •Chronology
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •5 Azokh Cave Hominin Remains
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Hominin Mandibular Fragment from Azokh 1
- •Discussion of Early Work on the Azokh Mandible
- •New Assessment of the Azokh Mandibular Remains Based on a Replica of the Specimen
- •Discussion, Azokh Mandible
- •Neanderthal Remains from Azokh 1
- •Description of the Isolated Tooth from Azokh Cave (E52-no. 69)
- •Hominin Remains from Azokh 2
- •Human Remains from Azokh 5
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •6 The New Material of Large Mammals from Azokh and Comments on the Older Collections
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •General Discussion and Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •7 Rodents, Lagomorphs and Insectivores from Azokh Cave
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Unit Vm
- •Unit Vu
- •Unit III
- •Unit II
- •Unit I
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •8 Bats from Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •9 Amphibians and Squamate Reptiles from Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Systematic Descriptions
- •Paleobiogeographical Data
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •10 Taphonomy and Site Formation of Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Taphonomic Agents
- •Materials and Methods
- •Shape, Size and Fracture
- •Surface Modification Related to Breakage
- •Tool-Induced Surface Modifications
- •Tooth Marks
- •Other Surface Modifications
- •Histology
- •Results
- •Skeletal Element Representation
- •Fossil Size, Shape and Density
- •Surface Modifications
- •Discussion
- •Presence of Humans in Azokh 1 Cave
- •Carnivore Damage
- •Post-Depositional Damage
- •Acknowledgements
- •Supplementary Information
- •References
- •11 Bone Diagenesis at Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Porosity as a Diagenetic Indicator
- •Bone Diagenesis at Azokh Caves
- •Materials Analyzed
- •Methods
- •Diagenetic Parameters
- •% ‘Collagen’
- •Results and Discussion
- •Azokh 1 Units II–III
- •Azokh 1 Unit Vm
- •Azokh 2
- •Prospects for Molecular Preservation
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •12 Coprolites, Paleogenomics and Bone Content Analysis
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Coprolite/Scat Morphometry
- •Bone Observations
- •Chemical Analysis of the Coprolites
- •Paleogenetics and Paleogenomics
- •Results
- •Bone and Coprolite Morphometry
- •Paleogenetic Analysis of the Coprolite
- •Discussion
- •Bone and Coprolite Morphometry
- •Chemical Analyses of the Coprolites
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •13 Palaeoenvironmental Context of Coprolites and Plant Microfossils from Unit II. Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Environment Around the Cave
- •Materials and Methods
- •Pollen, Phytolith and Diatom Extraction
- •Criteria for the Identification of Phytolith Types
- •Results
- •Diatoms
- •Phytoliths
- •Pollen and Other Microfossils
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •14 Charcoal Remains from Azokh 1 Cave: Preliminary Results
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •15 Paleoecology of Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Habitat Weightings
- •Calculation of Taxonomic Habitat Index (THI)
- •Faunal Bias
- •Results
- •Taphonomy
- •Paleoecology
- •Discussion
- •Evidence for Woodland
- •Evidence for Steppe
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •Species List Tables
- •References
- •16 Appendix: Dating Methods Applied to Azokh Cave Sites
- •Abstract
- •Radiocarbon
- •Uranium Series
- •Amino-acid Racemization
- •Radiocarbon Dating of Samples from the Azokh Cave Complex (Peter Ditchfield)
- •Pretreatment and Measurement
- •Calibration
- •Results and Discussion
- •Introduction
- •Material and Methods
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •Introduction
- •Laser-ablation Pre-screening
- •Sample Preparation and Measurement
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •Index
Contributors
Note * indicates preferred address for correspondence
Ethel Allué
*IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain; Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain
Peter Andrews
Scientific and Editorial Supervisor, Natural History Museum, London, UK
Sylvia Hixson Andrews
Blandford Museum, Blandford, Dorset, UK
Enrique Aracil
*Análisis y Gestión del Subsuelo, S.L. (AGS), Madrid, Spain;
Departamento de Geodinámica. Facultad Ciencias Geológicas., Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
Lena Asryan
Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain;
*IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain; Artsakh State University, Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh
Milo Barham
Earth & Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
E. Andrew Bennett
Institut Jacques Monod. Laboratoire “Epigénome et Paléogénome”, Paris, France
Hugues-Alexandre Blain
*IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain; Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain
Isabel Cáceres
Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira I Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain;
*IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana I Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain
Tim Compton
Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
Carlos Cordova
Department of Geography, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
Arantxa Díaz-Bautista
Biomolecular Stratigraphy Laboratory (BSL), E.T.S.I. Minas, Polytechnical University of
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Contributors |
Peter Ditchfield
Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Patricio Domínguez-Alonso
Departamento de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias Geologicas & Instituto de Geociencias (IGEO-CSIC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
Marisol Faraldos
Instituto de Catálisis Y Petroleoquímica (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Eva-Maria Geigl
Institut Jacques Monod. Laboratoire “Epigénome et Paléogénome”, Paris, France
Olivier Gorgé
Institut Jacques Monod. Laboratoire “Epigénome et Paléogénome”, Paris, France
Thierry Grange
Institut Jacques Monod. Laboratoire “Epigénome et Paléogénome”, Paris, France
Rainer Grün
Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT,
Australia
Tania King
Blandford Town Museum, Blandford, Dorset, UK
Wendy Lees
Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT,
Australia
Edward P. Lynch
Earth & Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
M. Dolores Marin-Monfort
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Norah Moloney
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Laura Moreno-Pérez
Biomolecular Stratigraphy Laboratory (BSL), E.T.S.I. Minas, Polytechnical University of
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
John Murray
Earth & Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
Manuel Nieto-Díaz
Molecular Neuroprotection Laboratory, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
Andreu Ollé
Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, Spain;
*IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social, Tarragona, Spain
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Contributors |
Jose Eugenio Ortiz
Biomolecular Stratigraphy Laboratory (BSL), E.T.S.I. Minas, Polytechnical University of
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Simon A. Parfitt
Institute of Archaeology, University College London, London, UK
Ana C. Pinto-Llona
Instituto de Historia (CCHS-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Jose Angel Porres
Departamento de Geodinámica. Facultad Ciencias Geológicas., Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
Jan Risberg
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Antonio Rosas
Paleoanthropology Group, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Lloyd Rossouw
Department of Archaeology, National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Louis Scott
Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Paloma Sevilla
Facultad de Geología, Departamento de Paleontología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
Colin I. Smith
Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Trinidad Torres
Biomolecular Stratigraphy Laboratory (BSL), E.T.S.I. Minas, Polytechnical University of
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Jan Van der Made
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Levon Yepiskoposyan
Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia